A device used to join, grip, support, fasten, or hold parts in alignment.

Clamps are vitally important to all welders and welding operations, and there are many types of clamps in use in welding shops and manufacturing plants. Some of these devices are made in the shop for use with special welding tables or faceplates, and may be merely “dogs” or “wedges”. There are also hook bolts, three-point bearing clamps, lever clamps, swinging strap clamps, and cam-operated clamps made for specific welding applications. The C-clamp will be

found in every shop, augmented by specially designed pliers, hand vises, toggle clamps, angle clamps and other clamping devices.

When selecting a clamp for use in welding, or any other operation requiring pieces to be held in alignment, the following are important considerations:

(1) The size and shape of the workpiece

(2) Condition of the workpiece

(3) Strength of the clamp

(4) Ease and speed with which clamps can be attached or detached

(5)Means and point of applying pressure

(6) Frequency of set-up

(7) Method of preventing the clamp from loosening during use. The clamping device should be made so that weld spatter will not cause it to malfunction. The problem of weld spatter adhering to the threads of a C-clamp can be solved by shielding the threads with a sleeve, coating the threads with an anti-spatter material, or making the screw of a material to which weld spatter

will not adhere.

Quick-acting clamps such as toggle clamps, clamping pliers, hand vises, and some C-clamps save time when setting up work for welding. When high production at low cost is the objective, the clamping device must be built in as an integral part of a jig or fixture. See also JIG and FIXTURE.

 

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